Setting the Seder Table - Basic Considerations

The moments immediately before the Seder should be spent on preparing for the ritual itself. Therefore, the most practical considerations should be taken care of ahead of time. The following checklist can help you make sure that your guests are not suddenly playing musical chairs or sharing wine glasses! Even nursery school children can count fairly well, and enjoy setting the table. If their number skills aren't up to it, set up all the necessary chairs and tell them to set a place at each chair. Napkins and flatware will not break if they are dropped, so they are good items for children to distribute. Youngsters may also want to make place cards for everyone. Older children can be put in charge of this list!

Check off	Item
_______	chairs
_______	dinner plates
_______	salad plates
_______	wine glasses
_______	water glasses
_______	knives, forks, spoons
_______	napkins
_______	haggadot
_______	basin, cup, and towel for handwashing
_______	pillows (at least one for the leader)
_______	candles and candlesticks, matches
_______	kippot
_______	bottles of wine (and grape juice) at both ends of the table
_______	cup for Eliyahu (Elijah)
_______	optional: flowers, placecards